BMW 1200gs MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 131 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 9.2%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
BMW 1200gs MOT Reliability Overview
The BMW 1200gs is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 131 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.8% and a failure rate of 9.2%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the BMW 1200gs earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average BMW 1200gs presents for MOT with approximately 34,367 miles on the clock. The 2008 manufacture year performs best with a 90.9% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the BMW 1200gs is Motorcycle brakes, affecting 6.1% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Motorcycle tyres and wheels at 4.6%. Motorcycle lighting and signalling rounds out the top three at 3.1%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Motorcycle Brakes | 6.9% | 9 |
| 2 | Motorcycle Tyres And Wheels | 4.6% | 6 |
| 3 | Motorcycle Lighting And Signalling | 3.1% | 4 |
| 4 | Motorcycle Fuel And Exhaust | 1.5% | 2 |
| 5 | Motorcycle Reg Plates And Vin | 1.5% | 2 |
| 6 | Motorcycle Steering And Suspension | 0.8% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 34,367 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle brakes | 2.00 | 6.9% | 9 |
| Motorcycle tyres and wheels | 1.33 | 4.6% | 6 |
| Motorcycle lighting and signalling | 0.89 | 3.1% | 4 |
| Motorcycle fuel and exhaust | 0.44 | 1.5% | 2 |
| Motorcycle reg plates and vin | 0.44 | 1.5% | 2 |
| Motorcycle steering and suspension | 0.22 | 0.8% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average BMW 1200gs has 34,367 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The BMW 1200gs has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 2.68% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About BMW 1200gs MOT Data
The BMW 1200gs is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 131 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 90.8% and a failure rate of 9.2%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For BMW 1200gs owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on motorcycle brakes and motorcycle tyres and wheels for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific 1200gs is likely to perform.
Motorcycle brakes — 6.1% of failures
Motorcycle brakes issues account for 6.1% of MOT failures on the BMW 1200gs. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Motorcycle tyres and wheels — 4.6% of failures
Motorcycle tyres and wheels issues account for 4.6% of MOT failures on the BMW 1200gs. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Motorcycle lighting and signalling — 3.1% of failures
Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues account for 3.1% of MOT failures on the BMW 1200gs. Motorcycle lighting and signalling issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the BMW 1200gs?
Based on 131 MOT tests in our database, the BMW 1200gs has an overall pass rate of 90.8% (9.2% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a BMW 1200gs?
The top 3 reasons a BMW 1200gs fails its MOT are: 1. Motorcycle brakes (6.1%), 2. Motorcycle tyres and wheels (4.6%), 3. Motorcycle lighting and signalling (3.1%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the BMW 1200gs reliable?
With a 9.2% MOT failure rate, the 1200gs is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my BMW 1200gs?
Based on failure data, focus on: Motorcycle brakes (6.1%); Motorcycle tyres and wheels (4.6%); Motorcycle lighting and signalling (3.1%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.